Transport & Accommodation

Flights from Ottawa or Halifax to Dublin and return to Ottawa / Halifax from Lourdes

Flights from Knock or Dublin to Lourdes

6 nights hotel accommodation in Dublin

1 night hotel accommodation in Midlands region

3 nights hotel accommodation in Lourdes

All breakfasts and 4 dinners included, lunch also included in Lourdes

Private luxury air-conditioned bus throughout the itinerary: return transfers to the WMOF, full day excursions in Ireland and Lourdes, airport transfers in both Ireland and Lourdes

Full assistance of Joe Walsh Tours representatives throughout the itinerary and at the airports on
arrivals & departures

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1:
Departure from Canada to Ireland.

DAY 2:
Cead Mile Failte “Welcome to Ireland”. This morning you will arrive into Dublin airport where you will be met by your driver and guide and escorted to your bus. You will depart for Dublin City for a panoramic city tour. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and afternoon at leisure. The World Meeting of Families will take place in Dublin from the 21-26 August 2018. It brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church. Dublin has been chosen by Pope Francis to host the next WMOF guided by the theme “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”. Arrive in Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast.

DAY 3:
Today, we are suggesting one of the following excursions. (1) Glendalough, the setting of some of Ireland’s most important monastic settlement. Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. We will continue to the oldest working woollen mills, Avoca handweavers. (2) Boyne Valley, departure for Monasterboice and the historic Boyne Valley encompassing the Hills of Slane and the Hill of Tara. We will be visiting the Bru na Boinne visitor centre as well as Newgrange or Knowth. (3) Cliffs of Moher& The Burren. Located on county Clare’s West coast, the Cliffs stretch for 8 km /5 miles and 214 metres/700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliffs have for centuries attracted visitors who have been captivated by their splendour and majesty. Return to Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast.

DAY 4:
Full day Dublin at leisure. Return to Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast.

DAY 5:
Today, we are suggesting one of the following excursions. (1) Glendalough, the setting of some of Ireland’s most important monastic settlement. Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. We will continue to the oldest working woollen mills, Avoca handweavers. (2) Boyne Valley, departure for Monasterboice and the historic Boyne Valley encompassing the Hills of Slane and the Hill of Tara. We will be visiting the Bru na Boinne visitor centre as well as Newgrange or Knowth. (3) Cliffs of Moher& The Burren. Located on county Clare’s West coast, the Cliffs stretch for 8 km /5 miles and 214 metres/700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliffs have for centuries attracted visitors who have been captivated by their splendour and majesty. Return to Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast.

DAY 6:
Full day Dublin at leisure. Evening Celebrations at the WMOF and mass. Return to Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast

DAY 7:
The World Meeting of Families concludes with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration. The Mass will mark the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin. Subject to confirmation, the main celebrant for the Final Mass will be Pope Francis should he be able to attend WMOF2018. The Holy Father has said that it is his intention to come to Ireland for WMOF2018, but this is still to be confirmed by the Holy See. Return to Dublin Hotel for overnight and breakfast

DAY 8:
Early departure for Knock via Clonmacnoise Founded by St Ciaran in the mid-6th century, Clonmacnoise became a great centre of religion and learning, visited by scholars from all over the world. Many historical manuscripts, including the 11th century Annals of Tighernach and the 12th century Book of the Dun Cow, were written here. Knock Shrine one of the world's leading Marian shrines and an important place of pilgrimage for Irish people for over 100 years. On 21st August 1879, at about 8 o'clock, fifteen people; women, men and children, witnessed an Apparition. In 1979 Pope John Paul II visited Knock Shrine. The traditional stations performed by pilgrims visiting Knock Shrine include Mass in the Basilica, a visit to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the Stations of the Cross, the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious, Litany of the Blessed Virgin followed by the Prayer to Our Lady of Knock. Arrive at your hotel in Midlands region for dinner, overnight and breakfast.

DAY 9:
Meet fellow pilgrims at Dublin/Knock Airport and check in for your direct flight to Lourdes. On arrival at Lourdes Airport you will be met by a Joe Walsh Tours representative and transferred by private bus to Lourdes where you will check into your hotel for 3 nights
including dinner, breakfast and lunch each day. The origins of the pilgrimages to Lourdes began when Bernadette Soubirous reported the first of 18 visions of Our Lady on 11 February 1858. Since then, Lourdes went from being a small village in the Pyrenees to becoming the largest Catholic pilgrimage destination in Europe. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where the sacred grotto and the two Basilicas are located, embraces 22 places of worship and numerous facilities for the pilgrims and the sick, as well as the spring that began to flow from the spot dug by Bernadette on Our Lady’s instructions. Arrive at your Hotel in Lourdes for dinner, overnight and breakfast for 3 nights.

DAY 10 - 11:
A full religious programme will be organised for your time in Lourdes. We will have the opportunity to take part in the Blessing of the Sick, the Blessed Sacrament and the Torchlight Processions. We will also enjoy fully guided tour visiting places associated with St. Bernadette, including the Boly Mills, Le Cachot, the Hospice, the Parish Church and the Cemetery. There is also a guided walking tour of the Grotto Domain visiting the Grotto, the Baths, the Basilicas and the Stations of the Cross.

DAY 12:
Departure from France back to Canada.

Inclusions

Entrance fees included:

Glendalough visitor Centre / Bru na Boinne visitor centre

Knowth or Newgrange / Cliffs of Moher

Clonmacnoise

Knock Shrine Museum and visit of the grounds

Optional

Single supplement applies

Notes

A deposit of $500 will secure you place

Taxes, charges and government levies are included in the price

Passengers are entitled to check in one standard piece of luggage subject to airline’s conditions

Price per person sharing twin/double rooms with private facilities

Meals where not stated are not included in the price

Itinerary may be subject to change; E&OE

All bookings protected by the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland (T.O. 052 | T.A. 0689) and the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK (ATOL 5163)